Today’s news in brief – 6/9/24
In the first half of 2024, European hotel transactions hit a five-year high, with volumes reaching €11.6bn (£9.78bn), the highest since 2019, according to Cushman and Wakefield. This surge was driven by several landmark sales, particularly in luxury hotels like the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel and the Hilton Paris Opera. Key markets such as the UK, Spain, and France contributed to over two-thirds of the total transactions, with London leading at €2.6bn (£2.19bn). This growth is attributed to increasing debt liquidity, strong hotel performance, and major events like Euro 2024 and the Eras tour. Volumes are projected to exceed €20bn (£16.8bn) by the end of 2024, reflecting confidence in the hotel sector and favourable market conditions.
The Royal Marine Hotel in Brora has partnered with Silverback Gym to launch a new wellness facility for both guests and the local community. Guests staying at the hotel now have 24/7 access to the gym, blending relaxation with fitness. Billy McKechnie, the hotel’s general manager, highlighted the unique experience the collaboration offers, while Ruth Gagan of Silverback Gym emphasised the facility’s importance to the local community. The partnership strengthens the hotel’s commitment to wellness and enhances guest experiences.
Aimbridge has reported a significant increase in guest satisfaction across 32 EMEA-managed hotels, rising from 74.1% to 82.9% over two years. This improvement is the result of focused investments in customer service training and enhancing the guest experience. Key areas of improvement included check-in, breakfast, and problem resolution, with team service scores now at 92%. Personalised guest experiences have driven these gains, with a dramatic rise in staff members being praised in guest reviews.
Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa in Cumbria has been awarded the prestigious ‘Five Bubble Luxury’ status by the Good Spa Guide, making it the first in the region to achieve this accolade. The spa achieved a 98% overall score, with 100% in fitness, sports facilities, and sustainability. The resort’s excellence in spa services, cleanliness, and sustainability has positioned it among the UK’s top spas.
